The Power of Parenting

Monday, 18 January 2021

New Activity: Doctor's Office

Whether your child looks after a doll, a friend, or you, she is using important social skills involved in showing concern for others. Pretending to be a doctor is a Comfort, Play & Teach™ activity that will help your child to practice nurturing and caring for someone.

 

You will need:
  • Props for creating a doctor’s office (e.g., toy doctor kits with stethoscopes, needles, bandages etc.; white shirts for doctors’ jackets; blankets; scale; measuring chart; magazines)
  • Dolls and stuffed animals

 

 

Instructions:
  • Add props to your child’s play area that support her interest in pretending to be a doctor, nurse or patient. Encourage her to use the materials to explore the different roles and to practice caring for another person.
  • Join in your child’s play. Pretend to be a patient with a tummy ache. Let her take care of you. This will help her to develop empathy for people who are sick or hurt, and to use her social skills.
  • Pretend to be a doctor and use phrases and terms that a doctor might use, like, “Say ‘ahhh’” or “You have healthy reflexes.” This will help your child to use these words as she plays.

 

Enjoy this more with Comfort, Play & Teach™:

Comfort:

  • When playing with friends and using the doctor’s office props, your child can have the opportunity to practice being gentle and also to use words that show care and concern for his friends.

 

Play:

  • Pretending to be a doctor or nurse helps your child to explore her own experiences with visiting a doctor’s office. She will develop a greater understanding of the role that doctors play in taking care of people.

 

Teach:

  • Read picture books to your child about going to the doctor or the hospital. This will build his language skills and provide ideas that he can add to the time he spends pretending to be a community helper.